Building block



July 2, 1940.

c. s. GERLACH 2,206,350

- BUILDING BLOCK Filed Sept. 22, 1938 Patented July 2, 1940 P ATE-NrOFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved building block and attachments forassembling the blocks and securing a studding thereto.

It is an aim of the invention, to provide an improved building blockhaving means permitting the blocks to be secured by driven fastenings toa studding, and means for retaining the blocks in their proper relativeposition.

More particularly it is an object of this invenft tion to provide animproved plastic building block having means permitting the blocksto besecured to the studding of an inner wall by driven fastenings withoutinjury to the block,

3 and tubular means shaped to fit aligned grooves in the blocks andhaving openings to permit the free passage of an adhesive filler andseal for securing the blocks together and retaining the blocks in properalignment while being secured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter becomemore fully apparent from the following description of the drawing whichillustrates a preferred form of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section showing a few ofthe blocks assembled on a studding,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view showingthe reinforcing member mounted at the joint of three of the blocks,

Figures 4 and 5 are cross sectional views taken on the lines 44 and 55of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a prospective view of one of the blocks, and

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the aligning or reinforcingmember.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views, I designates generally the blocks having a groove orgrooves H extending around their four edges l2 and disposedlongitudinally of said edges and intermediate the front and rear faces I3 and M of the block ID. Grooves II are semicircular or arcually shapedas illustrated in the drawing, but may be made in any other desiredshape without affecting the function of the blocks Iii. Molded into theblocks III are strips of fibrous material such as wood, designated l5,which are preferably triangular shaped in cross section and which haveone of their edges flush with the rear face M of the blocks ID toreceive driven fastenings It to secure the studding or frame H, to whichan inner wall of plaster or mallboard, not shown, is attached, to theblocks A tubular shaped member l8 as seen in Figure 7, is provided witha cut-out portion l9 intermediate of its ends. Member I8 is sized to fitthe aligned grooves between two of the blocksas best seen in Figures 4and 5, and may obviously vary in cross sectional shape to correspond tothe shape of two of the aligned grooves II.

From the foregoing it will be seen, that a block [0 has been providedparticularly adapted for use for building structures andhaving thefastening strip l5 embedded adjacent its inner side to receive drivenfastenings to mount a clapboard studding or other framework on the innerfaces of the blocks. The blocks ID are laid as seen in Figure l instaggered relationship so that the vertical grooves of every other roware in the same plane. One of the tubular align- :0 ing and reinforcingmembers I8 is mounted in each of the horizontal grooves ll so that thecut-out portion l9 will be in communication with the vertical groovesformed by the two blocks ID in which the reinforcing member I8 is 35mounted, as seen in Figure 3. A cementitious bonding material designatedis poured into the vertical grooves l l and passes through these groovesand through opening l9 into the members l8 and into the horizontalgrooves II to form a seal and binding to coact with members l8 inretaining the blocks in position. As seen in Figure 2, grooves H are inexact alignment forming a complete circle and this is necessary with theuse of the members I8, since the blocks must be in proper alignment inorder to rest squarely one on top of the other.

Blocks l0 may be made of any suitable material, of any size and shape,with the face [3 of any color and design to simulate brick, stone, plainboard or the like. When blocks In of a large size are used they may beemployed for constructing the foundation thereby eliminating theconcrete form work; and the blocks may be made hollow, if desired toform air spaces. The 5 shape of grooves H and members l8 and I5 mayobviously be varied without affecting the invention, and various othermodifications and changes may obviously be made and are contemplatedwithout departing from the spirit and ranged in staggered relationship,the edges of said blocks being provided with corresponding groovesdisposed in alinement, and tubular members disposed in the horizontalgrooves and provided with openings intermediate of their ends tocommunicate with the perpendicular grooves, for retaining the blocks inalinement and for receiving a plastic binder for securing the blockstogether.

CLAIR S. GERLACH.

